A review of the metabolism of xenobiotics by microorganisms with relation to short-term test systems for environmental carcinogens

Induction of -2 frameshift mutations by 2-nitrofluorene, N-hydroxyacetylaminofluorene, and N-2-acetylaminofluorene in reversion assays in Escherichia coli strains differing in permeability and acetyltransferase activity

The mutagenicity of 2-nitrofluorene (NF), N-hydroxyacetylaminofluorene (N-OH-AAF), and N-2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) was measured in strains of Escherichia coli that contain a lacZ allele that reverts by -2 frameshift mutations from CG(5) to CG(4). Mutagenesis was compared in a strain having wild-type permeability and metabolism, a strain with increased permeability caused by a lipopolysaccharide-defective (LPS(d)) mutation, a strain with N- and O-acetyltransferase (NAT/OAT) activity conferred by the Salmonella nat gene on plasmid pYG219, and a strain carrying both an LPS(d) mutation and pYG219. The LPS(d) mutation facilitated the measurement of mutagenicity but was not absolutely required, in that lower levels of mutagenicity were detected in LPS(+) strains. The NAT/OAT activity conferred by pYG219 strongly potentiated the mutagenicity of NF and N-OH-AAF. Surprisingly, AAF was mutagenic in the NAT/OAT LPS(d) strain without an exogenous P450 metabolic activation system. Its activity may be ascribable to the detection of a directly mutagenic impurity by the highly sensitive strain or to a low level of metabolic activation by the bacteria under the assay conditions. The findings add to the evidence that the lacZ allele derived from E. coli strain CC109 is an effective indicator of -2 frameshift mutagenesis and that strains expressing high levels of NAT/OAT activity are highly sensitive in monitoring the mutagenicity of nitroarenes and aromatic amides.

Heterologous expression of xenobiotic mammalian-metabolizing enzymes in mutagenicity tester bacteria: an update and practical considerations

There is an increasing need for metabolic competent cell systems for the mechanistic studies of biotransformation of xenobiotics in toxicology in general and in genotoxicology in particular. These cell systems combine the heterologous expression of a particular mammalian biotransformation enzyme with a specific target/ end point by which a functional analysis of the expressed gene product in the (geno)toxicity of chemicals can be performed. cDNAs of an increasing number of mammalian biotransformation enzymes is being cloned. The construction of specific expression vectors permits their heterologous expression in laboratory bacteria, such as Escherichia coli strains. This development does not only allow biochemical and enzymatic studies of (pure) enzyme preparations but also facilitates the engineering of metabolically competent mutagenicity tester bacteria, thereby providing new tools for genotoxicity testing and for studying of the roles of biotransformation in chemical carcinogenesis. In this review, we describe an update as well as an evaluation of enzymes expressed in mutagenicity tester bacteria. Four types of biotransformation enzymes are now expressed in these bacteria, namely, GSTs, CYPs, NATs, and STs. The expression of these enzymes in the tester bacteria and their subsequent application in mutagenicity assays demonstrates that heterologous expression in this type of bacteria has a number implications for the functionality of the biotransformation enzymes as well as for the functioning of the tester bacteria in mutagenicity detection. We also describe here a number of practical considerations in this regard.

Isolation and prevalidation of an Escherichia coli tester strain for the use in mechanistic and metabolic studies of genotoxins

We have isolated an Escherichia coli tester strain for the use in mechanistic and metabolic studies of genotoxins. We started with one of the more used and better characterized E. coli K-12 laboratory strains, AB1157. We isolated a lipopolysaccharide defective mutant of strain AB1886 which is an excision repair deficient derivative of AB1157 and introduced a newly constructed plasmid pKR11, encoding mucAB, resulting in strain MR2101/pKR11. A genotoxicity assay was designed, monitoring the reversion to arginine prototrophy and a preliminary validation was carried out against Ames tester strain TA100 with a set of diagnostic compounds. The results seem to indicate that strain MR2101/pKR11 is an adequate tester strain which can be a useful tool in mechanistic studies. Moreover, this strain can serve as mother strain to isolate improved and more specialized tester strains.

The SOS chromotest: a review

The SOS chromotest is reviewed through over 100 publications corresponding to the testing of 751 chemicals. 404 (54%) of these chemicals present a genotoxic activity detectable in the SOS chromotest. Their SOS inducing potencies span more than 8 orders of magnitude. For 452 compounds, the results obtained in the SOS chromotest could be compared to those obtained in the Ames test. It was found that 373 (82%) of these compounds give similar responses in both tests (236 positive and 137 negative responses). Thus the discrepancies between both tests concern 79 compounds (18%). A case by case analysis shows that many of these compounds are at the same time very weak SOS inducers and very weak mutagens. Thus we think that, most of the time, the discrepancies between the two tests may be accounted for by differences in the interpretation of the results rather than by the experimental results themselves. However, there are some compounds which are clearly SOS inducers but devoid of mutagenic activity in the Ames test (such as quinoline-1-oxide) and to a larger extent, clearly mutagenic compounds which do not induce the SOS response in the SOS chromotest (such as benzidine, cyclophosphamide, acridines, ethidium bromide). We also analyzed the correlation between SOS induction, mutagenesis and carcinogenesis according to the classification of Lewis. For 65 confirmed carcinogens (class 1), the sensitivity, i.e., the capacity to identify carcinogens, was 62% with the SOS chromotest and 77% with the Ames test. For 44 suspected carcinogens (class 2), the sensitivity was 66% with the SOS chromotest and 68% with the Ames test. Thus, we confirmed previous observations made on 83 compounds that there is a close correlation between the results given by both bacterial tests. The capacity of the Ames test to identify carcinogens is higher than that of the SOS chromotest. However, because the number of false positive compounds was lower in the SOS chromotest, the specificity, i.e., the capacity to discriminate between carcinogens and non-carcinogens of the SOS chromotest, appeared higher than that of the Ames test. Thus, the results of the SOS chromotest and of the Ames test can complement each other. The SOS chromotest is one of the most rapid and simple short-term test for genotoxins and is easily adaptable to various conditions, so that it could be used as an early--perhaps the earliest--test in a battery.

The screening, diagnosis and evaluation of genotoxic agents with batteries of bacterial tests

Bacterial tests can be used for several related purposes: the screening for genotoxic agents, genetic analysis of the mode of action of genotoxins and attempts to predict their effects in mammals. We examine various aspects of the assembly of tests into batteries with emphasis on the genetic properties of target bacterial cells. We discuss the problems of carcinogenicity prediction, the identification of particular types of DNA lesions, the study of mutagenic specificity and the elucidation of metabolic steps towards the ultimate genotoxin.

A comparison of the genetic activity of pyrvinium pamoate with that of several other anthelmintic drugs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Several anthelmintic drugs that are used routinely in oxyuriasis therapy were analyzed for genotoxicity in a diploid mitotic recombination and gene conversion assay (strain D5 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and in a haploid yeast reversion assay (strain XV185-14C). Piperazine citrate, piperazine adipate, mebendazole and thiabendazole did not appear to be genotoxic in either yeast strain. Pyrvinium pamoate induced the reversion of the missense, nonsense and frameshift alleles in strain XV185-14C, whereas pyrantel pamoate induced only the reversion of the frameshift allele. Pyrvinium pamoate was recombinogenic in strain D5, and there is an indication that pyrantel pamoate, at the lowest dose that was tested, might induce gene conversion or aneuploidy.

Detection of point-mutation mutagens in Aspergillus nidulans: comparison of methionine suppressors and arginine resistance induction by fungicides

In the present study we describe the effect of 4 fungicides on the induction of point mutations in strains biA1 methG1 (induction of methionine suppressors) and 118 (induction of arginine resistance) of Aspergillus nidulans. Captan, which was used as a known mutagen, Daconil 2787 and Dithane M-45 were effective in inducing these mutations, whereas the fungicide Cercobin caused no significant increase in the induction frequency of the point mutations selected. Actually, a decrease in the frequency of methionine suppressors was observed in relation to those occurring spontaneously. However, this effect could not be considered antimutagenic because the revertants were more sensitive to the fungicide than the biA1 methG1 strain. Although the induction of methionine suppressors was more convenient because it permits the visualization of several morphological types, the 118 strain system also proved to be effective in detecting point-mutation induction.

Prophage induction and filamentation in Bacillus thuringiensis caused by the genotoxic mycotoxin aflatoxin B1

Cultures of the lysogenic strain of Bacillus thuringiensis var. tolworthi were made in the presence of various drugs. The determination of bacterial size and plaque forming units (by using an indicator strain of B. thuringiensis var. galleriae) as well as colony forming units were then performed. Treatment of lysogenic cells by aflatoxin B1: provokes the formation of elongated cells (filamentation); induces a pathway that leads to the induction of prophage. Results of the present study indicated that filament formation and bacteriophage induction are two commonplace effects that occur in virtually every member of this cellular population exposed to low doses of certain drugs such as aflatoxin B1 (10 micrograms/ml); all of which have in common the ability to produce damaging changes in DNA. The following findings support the hypothesis that error-prone repair mechanisms seem to be present in B. thuringiensis as in Escherichia coli.

The metabolic activation of dichloromethane and chlorofluoromethane in a bacterial mutation assay using Salmonella typhimurium

The metabolic activation and mutagenicity of dichloromethane and chlorofluoromethane were investigated using rat liver fractions and Salmonella typhimurium strain TA100. Both dihalomethanes gave a mutagenic response without the addition of rat-liver fractions. This response has been shown to be due to bacterial metabolism of the test compounds by pathways believed to be similar to those known in the rat. When rat-liver post-mitochondrial supernatant was added to the mutagenicity assay, there was no significant increase in the mutagenicity of dichloromethane, whereas a 2-fold increase was observed for chlorofluoromethane under the same conditions. This increase was derived both from glutathione conjugation and cytochrome P450 oxidative dehydrochlorination. A significant increase in dichloromethane mutagenicity could only be achieved by increasing the concentration of post-mitochondrial supernatant. Under these conditions the increase in mutagenicity was derived solely from glutathione conjugation of dichloromethane. The difference in mutagenic response after the addition of rat-liver fractions can be explained by differences in the half lives of the reactive intermediates rather than a difference in overall metabolic rate between the two compounds.

Activation of cycasin to a mutagen for Saccharomyces cerevisiae by rat intestinal flora

Genetic test systems involving microorganisms and liver enzyme preparations may be insufficient to detect compounds that require breakdown by enzymes provided by the microbial flora of the intestinal tract. A method is described for providing such activation and for simultaneously testing the potential genetic activity of breakdown products in an indicator organism. Parabiotic chambers containing Saccharomyces cerevisiae genetic test organisms in one chamber were separated by a membrane filter from rat cecal organisms and test chemical contained in the other chamber. The genetic activities of cycasin breakdown products for mutation, gene conversion, and mitotic crossing-over in samples incubated aerobically are reported. Samples containing cycasin alone had a small but clearly increased frequency of genetic damage. Samples containing rat cecal organisms without cycasin showed no increase in genetic activity. Anaerobic incubation resulted in no increase in genetic activity in any of the samples.

Differential survival as an indicator of potential mutagenicity using repair deficient strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe

A method is presented to screen chemicals for potential mutagenicity on the basis of their ability to cause more killing in cells of repair-deficient yeast than in wild type cells. Two species were chosen in the event that one might be more sensitive to certain chemicals. The strains used were RAD+ and rad6 derivatives of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and RAD+ and rad3 derivatives of Schizosaccharomyces pombe. This report describes the test system and results for 12 known, direct-acting mutagens (i.e., not requiring mammalian metabolic activation). These compounds showed more lethality in one or both of the repair-deficient strains, indicating that they induce damage to DNA which is subject to repair in wild type cells. Advantages of this system include the use of eukaryotic yeast cells which can be manipulated as easily as bacteria, and that exogenous enzymes (S9) can be added for metabolic activation. Growing yeast cells can activate certain promutagens, and preliminary experiments showed positive responses for diethylnitrosamine and 2-acetylaminofluorene without the addition of S9.

A review of the genotoxicity of food, drug and cosmetic colours and other azo, triphenylmethane and xanthene dyes

The genetic toxicology of the major dyestuffs used in foods, drugs and cosmetics has been reviewed. Published data for azo, triphenylmethane and xanthene dyes from short-term assays for muta-carcinogenicity have been summarized and discussed according to usage, current and previous worldwide legislative status. Certain other synthetic food dyes, commercial mixtures, natural and polymeric colourants as well as a section on aminoazobenzene and its derivatives have been included. Genotoxicity has been discussed with reference to structural chemistry, levels of exposure, absorption and metabolism and to epidemiological information. The extent of agreement between data from different tests and correlations with animal cancer assays have been considered. Synthetic dyes from the 3 major structural classes exhibit genotoxicity, whilst only 2 natural colours have proved active. Activity may be due to the presence of certain functional groups, notably nitro- and amino-substituents which are metabolized to ultimate electrophiles that may be stabilized by electronic interaction with aryl rings. Metabolic processes such as azo-reduction may be activating or detoxifying. the low but significant correlation between animal carcinogenicity and short-term test data may be increased with further screening, especially involving chromosome assays. It is suggested that a human cancer hazard may exist where significant quantities of finished benzidine dye samples are handled. Such risks from exposures to other colours and the possibility of human germ-line mutation induction by dyestuffs cannot be meaningfully assessed.

Mitotic gene conversion induced in yeast by isoniazid. influence of a transition metal and of the physiological conditions of the cells

Isoniazid (INH) induced mitotic gene conversion at the trp5 locus of strain D7 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A suggested mechanism involving autoxidation of INH and production of hydrogen peroxide is supported by the facts that (i) the presence of a transition metal, Mn(II), greatly enhanced the effect of INH, (ii) cells stored for a long time in the refrigerator are much more sensitive to INH + Mn(II) than fresh cells probably due to loss of catalase and/or peroxidase activity, (iii) presence of S9 mix during the treatment eliminated the effect of INH + Mn(II).

Growth-mediated metabolic activation of promutagens in Aspergillus nidulans

7 procarcinogens belonging to different chemical classes (nitrosamines, hydrazoalkanes, oxazaphosphorines and aromatic amines) were tested in A. nidulans for the induction of point mutations with two genetic systems (8-AG resistance and induction of methionine suppressors). Dimethylnitrosamine, diethylnitrosamine, nitrosomorpholine, dimethylhydrazine, procarbazine and cyclophosphamide gave positive results with a good dose--effect relationship in the growth-mediated assay, whereas they gave negative or borderline positive results in the plate incorporation assay. 2-Aminoanthracene was completely negative with both experimental procedures. DMN, DEN and NM were also tested for their ability to induce somatic segregation: all were positive when assayed in the growth-mediated assay.

Measurement of drug-metabolizing systems in Salmonella typhimurium strains G46, TA15135, TA100, TA1538 and TA98

Salmonella typhimurium strains which are commonly used in the Ames test for screening potential carcinogens were examined for a number of drug-metabolizing systems. Neither cytochrome P-450 itself nor two activities catalyzed by the cytochrome P-450 system in mammalian cells, i.e., benzpyrene monooxygenase and ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation, could be detected. Nor do these bacterial strains demonstrate any ability to detoxify epoxides by hydrating them or to conjugate p-nitrophenol with glucuronic acid. On the other hand, S. tryphimurium strains G46, TA1535, TA100, TA1538 and TA98 contain considerable amounts of acid-soluble thiols, approx. 5--10% of which is glutathione. These bacteria can also enzymatically conjugate glutathione with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) and can reduce oxidized glutathione using NADPH as cofactor. Thus, enzymatic and non-enzymatic reaction of immediate carcinogens with thiol groups in s. typhimurium may have a significant effect on the outcome of the Ames test in certain cases.